David Kennedy

Biography

David Kennedy was Director General for Food, Biosecurity and Trade at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from January 2017 to August 2023.

Previously he was the UK Department for International Development’s first Director General for Economic Development.

He has worked on development finance, strategy and investment at the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. He was also the founding Chief Executive of the Committee on Climate Change, an independent advisory body to the UK Government and Devolved Administrations.

He has a PhD in economics from the London School of Economics.

Previous roles in government

  • Director General for Food, Biosecurity and Trade
  • Director General for Economic Development